Introduction
Josh Tongue Bowling Action Explained What Makes Him So Effective
When you watch Josh Tongue steam in with the red ball in hand
there’s something naturally fierce and focused about his approach. He’s tall he’s quick and he’s got one of the most interesting bowling actions among England’s new generation of fast bowlers. But what is it with his action that is exemplary and how is it that it helps him to excel to the very top?
We will simplify it in a manner that is easy and makes sense to all cricket followers.
A Smooth Run-Up With Controlled Rhythm
Josh Tongue doesn’t have the most dramatic or flashy run-up but it’s the kind of action that reflects control and rhythm. He builds up pace gradually rather than exploding into the crease. This allows him to stay balanced and aligned which is key to delivering consistently fast and accurate deliveries.
High Arm Action With Steep Bounce
The first thing you notice about Josh Tongue’s bowling is how high his arm goes at the point of release. He uses a classic high-arm action which helps him extract bounce even on flat pitches. Because of his height and upright release his deliveries tend to climb sharply after pitching especially to right-handers.
This makes life uncomfortable for batters who are unsure whether to go forward or back. That uncertainty is where Tongue strikes the most.
Seam Position and Movement
Another underrated strength of Josh Tongue’s bowling action is his ability to keep a strong wrist behind the ball. This gives him a great seam position which is perfect for swinging or seaming the ball off the surface. In English conditions where the ball does a bit more his action makes him even more dangerous.
Even in overseas matches his high release helps him get bounce on slower pitches something not every fast bowler can manage.
Energy Through the Crease
What sets Josh apart from many young fast bowlers is how efficiently he transfers his momentum through the crease. He doesn’t lose energy at the point of delivery. Instead he uses his whole body from his strong legs to his shoulder rotation to push the ball through with power.
This is why he can bowl long spells without a major drop in pace and accuracy.
Injury Comeback and Technical Discipline
It’s worth noting that Josh Tongue had a long spell on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury. Most young pacers are put off their stride by such reverse but Tongue got back into form with a better stride than ever before. He also put a lot of effort into making his bowling action better in order to stress his body less and still manage to keep the speed and bounce.
Such technical discipline is one of the reasons that he received his England call-up in 2023.
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Final Thoughts
Josh Tongue’s bowling action is a perfect mix of control bounce and strength. It may not be flashy but it’s highly effective. His high-arm action steep bounce and wrist position make him a real threat in any format of the game.
If he continues to stay fit and keeps refining his technique he’s got a bright future ahead in England’s pace attack.
Related reads you might enjoy
Josh Tongue Test debut performance analysis
Top 10 rising fast bowlers in English cricket
How injuries shaped Josh Tongue’s comeback story
External Source
Visit ECB’s official player profile of Josh Tongue for career stats and updates
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